Inferius | Regulus Black

Year Seven (I)

The moment he saw her his heart broke.

Running a hand down his sleeve Regulus tugged it down ensuring the mark would be well hidden from her view. Ignoring the looming figure in the corner of his eye, he watched as she turned to face him,

Regulus could feel his heart beat guiltily in his chest as she smiled at him,

Annabelle didn't know yet.

And they shared a small smile. The sort that anyone else looking in would never imagine was romantic.

His eyes flickered downward to the ground for a moment before he looked up and realized she'd left the overcrowded courtyard.

A smile formed on Regulus out of habit,

"I'm going to the library," he told Anthony and Barty, currently arguing about the better spot for a summer villa.

Rich people things. Not so much English as Cha-Ching- glish.

Regulus almost laughed, he had been spending far too long rereading Annabelle's letters.

"What? Why? Term's only just started," said Barty,

"Yeah, how is it you've gotten yourself a task already? I mean in school, not- well you know," said Anthony, "You're such a bloody overachiever,"

A pang went through Regulus' chest, He ignored it.

"I happen to be headboy and Quidditch captain." Said Regulus almost proudly, straightening his posture, "I have prefect rounds to figure out, you know really perfect them,"

"Could you fail just one class for me this year? You know? Our long standing friendship will last a bit longer if my mother stops comparing me to you," said Anthony, nudging him, "Just one troll." Anthony nodded once, "It's all I ask."

"You've forgotten about what my mother might do if I trolled something." Said Regulus, and Barty let out an amused sound,

"Probably floo here and demand answers," he said, "I can see it now,"

Anthony pursed his lips together in an imitation of Walburga Black and put his hands on his hips,

"Regulus Arcturus Black. Unless you neglected to mention that you are terminally ill or injured and missed all the lessons, I am distraught that a member of the proud and most ancient house of Black has disappointed their family so," he said, and Barty laughed, clapping his hands together,

"That's exactly it, that's her," said Barty, Pointing at Anthony who was chuckling along,

"So you see my point precisely." Said Regulus, "I really have to go. Because if I troll something and I'm not injured and my mother finds out? I'm not only gravely injured, I'm in a grave. In the ground. Very much dead."

Anthony nodded, still smiling, "Yeah, yeah, we get it. Go on. Overachieve."

"There is only power." Added Barty for flare,

Effectively killing Regulus' lightening mood with memories of the final month of summer vacation. Regulus forced a smile, waving as he ventured into the castle,

"She's that way," said a helpful portrait in a whisper,

"Thank you," said the ever polite Regulus, walking quickly down the hall, turning a corner, opening a portrait knowing exactly where to find her,

Annabelle was sitting on a windowsill, flipping the pages of a magazine,

"I haven't kept you waiting for too long, have I?" He asked, heart fluttering in his chest as she looked up at him,